Leviticus 4 31

Leviticus 4:31 kjv

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 4:31 nkjv

He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the LORD. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 4:31 niv

They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.

Leviticus 4:31 esv

And all its fat he shall remove, as the fat is removed from the peace offerings, and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. And the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.

Leviticus 4:31 nlt

Then he must remove all the goat's fat, just as he does with the fat of the peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the LORD, and they will be forgiven.

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 31 Meaning

Leviticus 4:31 describes a specific stage of the sin offering ritual for an ordinary person who has unintentionally sinned. It details the removal and burning of the choicest fat on the altar, serving as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, similar to a peace offering. This priestly action effectively makes atonement for the individual, resulting in their forgiveness from God. The verse underscores God's provision for dealing with sin, His acceptance of a properly presented offering, and the pathway to restoration of fellowship.

Leviticus 4 31 Context

Leviticus Chapter 4 delineates the laws for the "sin offering" (chattat), specifically designed for unintentional sins committed by various groups within Israel: the anointed priest, the whole congregation, a ruler, and an ordinary person. The nature and cost of the offering vary based on the status of the offerer and the impact of the sin, highlighting the severity of sin against God and His meticulous provision for its cleansing. Verse 31 specifically deals with the sin offering for an ordinary individual, requiring a female goat or lamb. This verse is nestled within a broader section (verses 27-35) detailing the process for a common person's unintentional sin, where the procedure mirrors the sin offering for a ruler, except for the initial part of the offering, underscoring both universal human sinfulness and God's accessibility to all His people. Historically, this system was critical for maintaining the holiness of the tabernacle and Israel's covenant relationship with a holy God in the wilderness, providing a ritual pathway for forgiveness and restoring communal and individual purity.

Leviticus 4 31 Word analysis

• And he shall remove (וְהֵסִיר – v’hesir): From the verb sur (סוּר), meaning to turn aside, take away, or remove. This signifies a deliberate action taken by the priest to separate specific parts of the animal. It highlights the priest's essential role in preparing the offering according to divine instruction, emphasizing precision in worship.
• all its fat (כָּל־חֶלְבּוֹ – kol ḥelbo): Ḥelev (חֵלֶב) refers to the choicest, richest fat, especially that surrounding the vital organs like the kidneys, entrails, and liver. In the ancient Near East, fat was highly prized, representing richness, prosperity, and vitality. Its dedication to the LORD signified giving the best and the life essence to God, demonstrating a profound reverence. It was explicitly forbidden for human consumption (Lev 3:17, 7:23), emphasizing its sacredness exclusively for God, distinguishing Israelite worship from other cultures.
• as the fat is removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings (כַּאֲשֶׁר יוּמַר מִזֶּבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים – ka'asher yimar mizevaḥ haššelāmim): Zevaḥ shelāmim (זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים) refers to a peace offering or offering of well-being. Unlike the sin offering, which focused on atonement for sin, the peace offering was typically offered in gratitude, for a vow, or for fellowship, concluding with a communal meal. The specific comparison means the procedure for the fat removal for a sin offering of an ordinary person is identical to that of a peace offering. This significant parallel highlights God's acceptance and satisfaction even when addressing sin, treating the dedicated portion of the sin offering as equally pleasing to Him as that from an offering of communion. It subtly reinforces God's desire for reconciliation.
• and the priest shall burn it (וְהִקְטִיר הַכֹּהֵן – v’hiqṭir hakkohen): Hiqṭir (הִקְטִיר) is the Hiphil form of qaṭar, specifically meaning "to cause smoke to ascend" or "to make into smoke," often used for burning incense or sacrificial parts on the altar. It’s distinct from the general burning of a whole animal (śarap). This implies a sacred burning that lifts the essence heavenward. Kohen (כֹּהֵן) refers to the consecrated priest, acting as God's mediator, indispensable for valid sacrifice and atonement.
• on the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ – ʾal hamizbeaḥ): This refers to the bronze altar of burnt offering, located in the tabernacle courtyard, the central focal point for sacrificial worship and communion with God.
• for a sweet aroma to the LORD (לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה – l'reaḥ niḥoaḥ layhwh): Reaḥ niḥoaḥ (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ) means "soothing odor," "pleasing aroma," or "acceptable fragrance." It signifies divine acceptance and satisfaction with the offering, showing God's pleasure in His people's obedience and His provided means of dealing with their sin. It emphasizes that while sin is grievous, God graciously accepts the prescribed ritual that deals with it. YHWH (יהוה) is the sacred covenant name of God, indicating His personal relationship with Israel.
• Thus the priest shall make atonement for him (וְכִפֶּר עָלָיו הַכֹּהֵן – v’kipper ʾalav hakkohen): Kippur (כָּפַר), from which "atonement" derives, literally means "to cover," "to purge," "to cleanse," or "to reconcile." In this cultic context, it means to make expiation for sin, ritualistically covering or cleansing it to restore the relationship between the offerer and God. The priest mediates this covering through the divinely ordained ritual. This act is pivotal, directly addressing the impact of the sin.
• and he shall be forgiven (וְנִסְלַח לוֹ – v’nislaḥ lo): Sālaḥ (סָלַח) means "to pardon," "to forgive," or "to overlook" sin. The passive form (nislaḥ) highlights that God is the one who ultimately grants forgiveness, not merely the priest's action. This is the divine declaration and assurance of the efficacy of the atonement, leading to restoration of the offerer’s standing before God.

Leviticus 4 31 Bonus section

The specific details for the sin offering in Leviticus, like those in verse 31, subtly challenged pagan sacrificial practices which often included eating the fat or giving it to idols. By strictly commanding the fat's dedication only to the LORD, the Israelite system underscored the exclusive claim of YHWH over His people and their worship, differentiating true worship from idolatry. While the verse deals with unintentional sin, it's crucial to note that no animal sacrifice existed in the Mosaic Law for willful, high-handed sins committed against God with defiance. For such sins, the penalty was often to be "cut off from among their people" (e.g., Num 15:30-31), highlighting that even with God's gracious provision, there were boundaries to the atoning power of the animal sacrificial system, pointing towards a need for a perfect sacrifice yet to come. The emphasis on "fat" representing the richest, life-giving portion of the animal symbolically dedicated the very essence of the life sacrificed back to the Giver of Life.

Leviticus 4 31 Commentary

Leviticus 4:31 encapsulates the divine provisions for Israel to deal with unintentional sin, a pivotal aspect of the Mosaic covenant. The meticulous detail in the sacrificial procedure, particularly the offering of "all its fat," stresses that even for unintentional wrongdoing, sin demands a cost and requires giving God the very best. The comparison to the "peace offering" fat is highly significant, showing that while the offering addresses sin, God still accepts it as pleasing. This highlights God's nature: just concerning sin, yet merciful in providing a means for restoration. The "sweet aroma" underscores divine acceptance, signifying God's satisfaction with the propitiatory work done through the sacrifice. Ultimately, the priest's act of making "atonement" (kipper) facilitated reconciliation, leading directly to the individual being "forgiven" by God. This Old Testament framework meticulously taught Israel about the gravity of sin, the necessity of an appointed mediator (priest), and God's gracious provision for covering sin and granting pardon. It serves as a foundational picture, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all atonement achieved through Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the fragrant aroma and ultimate propitiation for the sins of humanity.